Page 165 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

SOUTHERN FINISTÈRE  163

d Îles de Glénan
Road map B3. n Fouesnant; (02) 98
51 18 88. g from Port-La-Forêt, Beg-
Meil, Concarneau and Benodet. Also
from Concarneau, Le Corentin (02 98
57 00 58, Jul–Aug) arrange cruises on
a replica of a 19th-century lugger.
This archipelago, 12 nautical
miles (14 miles) off the mainland
and opposite the Baie de La Forêt,
consists of eight large islands and
a dozen islets. Its white sandy
beaches, clear water and plant
and animal life make it an
Église Notre-Dame-des-Carmes, built in 1383, Pont-l’Abbé exceptionally suitable place for
the sailing and deep-sea diving
the town hall, the keep the Bonnets Rouges uprising. courses that are organized here.
houses the Musée Bigouden. The arches and columns of the On Penfret, the largest island,
This contains an interesting church are in the style of the is the Centre Nautique des
collection of traditional Pont-Croix School (see pp159). Glénan. Estab lished in 1947,
costumes and headdresses, The towpath along the the school is world-famous
as well as furniture and Pont-l’Abbé river makes for a for its training in dinghy and
other objects. pleasant walk. The river flows catamaran sailing. Students are
The Église Notre- into an estuary dotted with housed in an 18th-century fort.
Dame-des-Carmes, small islands, Les Rats, The Île St-Nicolas is the
built in 1383 and Queffen and Garo, which base from which the Centre
formerly the chapel of are inhabited by flocks International de Plongée holds
the Carmelite convent, of birds, including its diving courses.
has an outstanding common spoonbill The Île Guiautec is a bird
15th-century and heron. At Pointe sanctuary. A rare flower – the
stained-glass Traditional costume, Bodillo is the largest Glénan narcissus, which was
window. It also displayed in the Musée colony of herons brought by the Phoenicians
contains a beautiful Bigouden in Finistère. and which flowers in April –
representation of the also grows on the island.
Virgin, embroidered in col oured E Musée Bigouden
silks on a banner made by the Tel (02) 98 66 09 03. Open Jun–  Centre Nautique des Glénan
Le Minor workshop. Aug: daily; Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct: Tue– Office on Place Pierre-Viannay,
Not far from the quays are Sun pm. & Concarneau. Tel (02) 98 97 14 84.
the ruins of the church of R Église Notre-Dame-des-Carmes  Centre International
Lambour, which was destroyed Place des Carmes. Open varies. de Plongée Île St Nicolas, Fouesnant.
by the Duke of Chaulnes during 5 6:30pm Sat; 11am Sun. Tel (02) 98 50 57 02.

The lighthouse at Penfret, the largest island in Îles de Glenan

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